Voter registration hits record levels

October 23, 2008

Election officials say voter registration is at record levels across the Chicago area, and some expect turnouts of 80 percent or higher.

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners reported 5 percent more registered voters than in 2004 and Cook County's rolls increased nearly 4 percent. McHenry County was up almost 7 percent. Will County gained 11 percent.

Will County estimates an 80 percent turnout rate on Election Day, higher than its 2004 turnout of about 74 percent, which set a record.

This is the first presidential election in which Illinois has allowed early voting, and many people are taking advantage.

In Cook County, for example, more than 88,000 people have voted early, and officials are expecting about 100,000 before early voting ends Oct. 30.